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USfriends · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:03 pm Post subject: Two fingers up

I just finished reading a book by Bernard Cornwell, who
writes historical fiction about the English / French wars in
medieval times . His characters are warriors, and many are bowmen.
Apparently the French put a bounty on archers, and threatened to cut
off their first two fingers, used to pull the bowstring. In the battle of
Agincourt, circa 1500, as the English were kicking the Frenchies ass...
the archers raised their hands and extended their bowfingers, to
show they were still shooting!
I believe someone in the club told me this before, can't recall who.
Anyone confirm or refute this?

Leaves me wondering where Americans came up with the middle finger...
Let us speculate upon that.
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Coaster Toaster · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:36 pm Post subject:

Iv heard the exact same thing as well

Nimmykins · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject:

It might be the stuff of legend, but it's something I've heard before, so who knows, it might be true.
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Magic · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:07 pm Post subject:

That's my understanding of it too. So that's four sources, so it must be true, as long it's also been published in the Daily Sport.
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USfriends · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:51 am Post subject:

Looking on wikipedia, there are references to the same archer story,
but regarding the use of just the middle finger.
Also referred to as "digitus impudicus" in Roman times, it had basically
the same meaning as today.
Seems like another lame American ripoff of a cool English legend! Rolling Eyes

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Yankee Freeloader Pete

Rollback Queen Lisa

c anderson · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:12 am Post subject:

Pete, the 2 finger story has a follow on. The USA only use 1 finger - one answer is they are too laid back to bother with a 2nd finger. Or else they had 1 finger cut off already.
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